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- June 17, 2025
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International Yoga Day: India’s Gift to the World, Reclaiming What’s Ours
Each year, on June 21st, the world comes together to celebrate International Yoga Day — a day that honors one of the greatest gifts India has offered to the global community. Streets in New York close down for yoga demonstrations, parks in London fill with mats and meditation circles, and even the Arctic and Antarctic regions have seen yoga being
practiced in solidarity. From grand city centers to quiet rural corners, the celebration of yoga transcends borders, religions, and languages.
But here’s a question we rarely ask: Are we, the people of India, truly aware and proud of this ancient science that originated on our very soil?
The Sacred Origins of Yoga
Yoga is not just physical exercise. It is a way of life that dates back over 5,000 years, rooted in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. The term “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “Yuj”, meaning “to unite.” It is the union of the individual soul with the universal spirit — a journey that blends the mind, body, and breath into perfect harmony.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads provide not only the philosophy of yoga but also actionable steps to live a life of balance, detachment, awareness, and purpose. From asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath control) to dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (spiritual absorption) — yoga is a holistic path toward wellness and liberation.
But sadly, in India, the depth of yoga is often lost in routine or ignored altogether.
The World Embraces What India Forgets
Walk into a yoga studio in California or London, and you’ll find people chanting Sanskrit mantras, discussing chakras, and celebrating yoga as a sacred tradition. In many Western countries, yoga has been adopted not just as a workout, but as a spiritual and mental wellness practice. Even top universities and Fortune 500 companies encourage employees and students to practice yoga for emotional balance and increased productivity.
In contrast, in many Indian homes, yoga is seen as something only elderly people do, or worse — something “too slow and boring” for the younger generation. We spend thousands of rupees joining gym chains and following global influencers, forgetting that the world is following us — learning from the ancient texts we rarely touch.
The Global Recognition of Yoga Day
The recognition of International Yoga Day by the United Nations in 2014 was a turning point. Proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and supported by 177 countries, it was a moment of global validation — a reminder to the world and to India that yoga belongs to humanity, but its roots are firmly Indian.
June 21st was chosen because it is the longest day of the year, symbolically aligning with the idea of awakening and enlightenment in yogic tradition.
Since then, every year, millions participate in Yoga Day celebrations, from India Gate to Eiffel Tower. But this day must not remain symbolic. It should be a starting point — a reminder for every Indian to look inward, breathe deeply, and realign with their culture.
Why India Must Reclaim Yoga
Yoga is more relevant today than ever. As we battle stress, anxiety, digital burnout, health issues, and disconnection from ourselves, yoga offers tools that are powerful and transformative. These are not just stretches. These are lifelines.
India has the responsibility to preserve yoga in its purest form, not letting it be diluted into fads. We must:
●Introduce yoga in schools — not just as P.E. but as personality development.
●Promote yoga in urban spaces — so busy professionals can use it to de-stress.
●Encourage traditional teachers and gurus — to continue the legacy authentically.
●Practice yoga at home — to set an example for future generations.
Let’s not wait for the world to teach us how to value what we created.
Human Connection Through Yoga
One of the deepest impacts of yoga is its ability to connect. Not just mind to body, but person to person. Through shared practice, breathwork, and silence, we learn to empathize, to observe without reacting, to respond rather than resist.
Yoga cultivates inner peace, and a peaceful person contributes to a peaceful world. In today’s age of division, distraction, and mental health crises, yoga is not just a solution — it’s a sacred duty we owe to ourselves and others.
A Call to Action This Yoga Day
This International Yoga Day, let’s go beyond event photos and hashtags. Instead:
●Attend a community yoga session or create one.
●Learn about yoga’s origins and philosophy.
●Share a yoga practice with a friend or family member.
●Meditate for just 10 minutes — and see the difference.
Yoga is not about flexibility, it’s about presence. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. And it doesn’t belong to any one religion, caste, or gender — it belongs to all of us.
Conclusion
India gave yoga to the world — and now the world is showing us how to cherish it. It’s time we take a lesson from that and return to our roots with pride and intention.
Let this International Yoga Day be more than a celebration. Let it be a renewal — of tradition, of purpose, and of inner strength. Because when India reconnects with yoga, the world doesn’t just follow — it heals.